Student health
Mental difficulties among students are widespread, and there has been an increase in reported mental health problems according to the Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (SHoT) 2021. The proportion who say they struggle with serious mental health problems has increased from 32% in 2018 to 45% in 2021. Eighteen percent of the students in SHoT 2021 state that they have a mental disorder. Twelve percent of students say they suffer from depression, while 11% suffer from anxiety. Social loneliness is believed to be one of several important explanatory factors for the occurrence of psychological difficulties. in SHoT 2021, 54% state that they miss someone to be with, feel left out or isolated. The results from the SHoT surveys indicate that there is an undisclosed need for treatment for mental health problems among students, as only 1/5 of those with mental health symptoms have sought help in the last year.
Dog-assisted interventions is a targeted and structured intervention that deliberately includes or integrates dogs into health, teaching and care services (for example social work) with the aim of therapeutic benefits for people. Such an intervention includes people with knowledge of the people and dogs involved. The measure can contribute socially, motivationally and/or as recreation. Research has shown many positive effects of contact with animals; positive changes in hormones such as cortisol, dopamine, oxytocin, prolactin, phenylethylamine, norepinephrine, anxiety, stress and depression reduction, improved mood and less depression, and improved social behaviour. It has also been shown that students' self-perception of stress is significantly reduced if they have participated in an intervention with a dog in the last week before the final exam. Furthermore, students who have participated in animal-assisted activities regularly throughout the semester (8 times) have reported that they feel less homesick, increased satisfaction with life and increased belonging to the campus.